TennisToday

Davis Cup 2013 Quarterfinal Results

Serbia d USA: 3-1

Major props to Ilija & Nenad for that stunning upset of the Bryan Bros.

I don't think anybody saw that coming.

It's been 20+ years since a #1 has played Davis Cup on US soil.

Boise got him. And then Nole twisted his ankle in his 2nd match.

Hope he's not too hobbled to play Monte-Carlo.

Argentina d France: 3-2

This was the only tie this weekend that went to a 5th rubber.

Berlocq's epic upset of Simon turned him into the unlikely team hero.

I hope he bought up all those newspapers.

Czech Rep. d Kazakhstan: 3-1

Bleh.

Finally Lukas Rosol has something else to talk about.

Canada d Italy: 3-1

This was the other tie with an insane doubles rubber - 15-13 in the 5th set.

Canada had never advanced to the Qf's before. Why stop there?

Their Sf will pit them against Serbia - in Serbia. Hmmm.

Roger Federer Moves into 4th Round at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Third Round

2 Roger Federer d Bernard Tomic - 64 76(5) 61

Trash-talk and the attempt to make this a blockbuster match...

Who really thought that that was honestly the case.

Snore.

Bet money would be placed on Fed's next match with 13 Milos Raonic.

They've played 3 3-set matches all last year and they've all been close.

Super close.

Milos said post win over 17 Philipp Kohlschreiber:

I think I got pretty damn close the one time in Madrid.

I got pretty close in Halle. I just know how to deal with it.

I think I have a higher tolerance within myself and

a higher belief within myself stepping up against Roger.

4th time a charm?

Or does the GOAT make his 10th straight Aussie Qf?

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Wins Marathon Match to Move into 3rd Round at Olympics

Olympics - Second Round

5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d Milos Raonic - 63 36 25-23

This was a fun one on Court 1 today at SW19.

This was the longest 3rd set in Olympic history.

It was also the most games in a best-of-three match at any Games.

Post match: At the end, I was just very happy for my country.

I did it for them, and that's it. I think it is something good.

To have some good matches like this at the Olympics.

It's good for tennis, it's good for sports and...

I'm just really happy with the way I played today.

Rafael Nadal & David Ferrer to Play for Barcelona Title

ATP 500 Barcelona - Seminfinal Results & Final Preview

1 Rafael Nadal d 9 Fernando Verdasco - 60 64

3 David Ferrer d 11 Milos Raonic - 76(2) 76(5)

1 Rafael Nadal vs 3 David Ferrer - H2H: 13-4/RN

Rafa is going for his 7th title at Barcelona tomorrow.

He will see a familiar face in the final - it will be their 4th at BCN.

Rafa has won the previous 3: '08, '09 and '11.

David is only 1 of 7 players to have 4 or more wins over Rafa.

Elite club: Only Federer, Djokovic, Davydenko & Murray have 5 or more.

Daunting: Rafa rarely loses in the month of April. Or on clay.

David is looking to add a 4th title on the season - Rafa just his 2nd.

Prepare for some long grinding points and lots of sliding.

Clay court tennis sure is fun to watch when two masters play. Enjoy.

Photos: Reuters

ATP's Weekend Arm Raisers for Feb 26, 2012

ATP 250 Buenos Aires - Final

1 David Ferrer d 2 Nicolas Almagro - 46 63 62

And that's title #13 in a solid career and his 2nd on the year - so far.

David moves his H2H over countryman Nicolas to 9-0.

He'll continue the Golden Swing of South America at Acapulco this week.

ATP 500 Memphis - Final

Jurgen Melzer d 4 Milos Raonic - 75 76(4)

This marks the 4th time Jurgen has lifted an ATP trophy.

He had a remarkable seed-toppling week also downing 1 Isner & 3 Stepanek.

Moving up: The win bumps him 19 placed to #19.

No rest: Jurgen is playing singles and doubles at Delray Beach this week.

I'm exhausted just typing these 4 sentences.

ATP 250 Marseille - Final

4 Juan Martin Del Potro d Michael Llodra - 64 64

DelPo bags career title #10 on the ATP tour.

He will not defend his title at Delray Beach opting instead to play at Dubai.

He's (rightfully) back playing with the big boys.

Photos: Reuters, AP, Reuters

Ferrer, Lopez & Monaco All Win Today in Madrid

Eh, I just wanted to post my iPhone TV screen captures.

Madrid Masters Series 1000

2nd R: 6 David Ferrer d Q Adrian Mannarino - 64 06 60

Boys feeding each other bagels is weird.

1st R: Feliciano Lopez d Milos Raonic - 46 76(2) 64

I didn't watch this match but I bet it was a real banger.

Feli's reward? A date with Roger Federer tomorrow night in the Magic Box.

2nd R: Juan Monaco d 9 Gael Monfils - 62 3-0 ret.

Never fear, Gael seemed to just have an upset tummy.

iPhone Photos from My Day at Indian Wells Tennis

Here are 10 iPhone photos I shot on Saturday.

***

Julien Bennetaeu and the lovely Indian Well background.

My favorite pic of the day - the one & only Andrea Petkovic.

David Ferrer slinked into this golf cart just after his loss to Ivo Karlovic.

The lovely Vera Zvonareva signing autographs.

Rafael Nadal caused a near-frenzy as he hit the practice courts.

Thomas Berdych works up a sweat in practice.

Jelena Jankovic working on her hair - then her volleys.

Janko Tipsarevic rocking the Oakley's in practice.

Richard Gasquet serves. Big.

And future (super)star Milos Raonic of Canada.

Andy Roddick Wins ATP 500 Title at Memphis

Memphis ATP 500 - Final

1 Andy Roddick d W/C Milos Raonic - 76(7) 67(11) 75

This was certainly a thriller - but absent from this match was a rally or two.

I jest - some of the rallies toward the end of the match were quite fun.

But with 52 aces between them for awhile there it felt like a serving contest.

Andy collects his 3rd title in Memphis and his 30th ATP career title.

Only 2 other active players have 30+ titles: Federer (67) and Nadal (43).

He also extends his yearly title streak to 11 years - back to Atlanta in '01.

Andy may have hit the greatest match point ever - see video below.

Andy: That is the best shot I have ever hit.

As the #1 seed at Delray Beach next week he'll face Dudi Sela - H2H: 1-1.

***

As for Milos... this effort will take him to a ranking of #37 tomorrow.

Making him the highest ranked Canadian of all time.

Andy to Milos: Coming from an old guy who's seen a lot of players...

You have a very very bright future.

Something tells me Milos' face is gonna be all over Canada soon.

The 3 ATP Titlists from Last Week All Win Tough 2nd Round Matches Today

These boys are breaking the ol' "win one week/lose early the next" curse.

The following are all 2nd round matches moving into the quarterfinals.

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In Memphis last weeks San Jose champion:

W/C Milos Raonic (above) d Radek Stepanek - 64 67(10) 76(1)

I think someone is starting to enjoy the big time.

***

In Marseille last weeks Rotterdam champion:

1 Robin Soderling d W/C Nicolas Mahut - 76(8) 76 (5)

Sets up Qf meeting with defending champ Michael Llodra - H2H: 2-1/ML.

Llodra actual beat Robin in the Qf here last year.

***

In Buenos Aires last weeks Costa do Sauipe champion:

1 Nicloas Almagro d Leonardo Mayer - 67(3) 61 63

Fun fact: Nico is ranked #13 but is only the #4 player from Spain.

Deja Milos: Raonic Beats Verdasco in Memphis

Memphis ATP 250 - 1st Round

W/C Milos Raonic d 2 Fernando Verdasco - 64 36 76(5)

The 2nd tense and close match between the two in four days.

Remember, Milos beat Fern on Sunday to win the title in San Jose.

Boy, Fern is not going to sleep well tonight.

The good news for him - Milos isn't following him to Acapulco next week.

Milos will next play Radek Stepanek - H2H: 0-0.

If he's not too tired Milos has a good draw to get to another final...

Fun fact: Milos has yet to pass half million dollars in career prize money.

That should/could change this week.

***

Milos: Some guys like to get into a lot of long rallies...

I tried to take that away.

Fern: I hope to play him soon in clay courts.

Photo: Getty Images

Milos Raonic Wins 1st ATP Title - at San Jose

San Jose ATP 250 - Final

Milos Raonic d 1 Fernando Verdasco - 76(6) 76(5)

Boy watching that match sure felt all 'star is born'ish, didn't it?

In upsetting Fern Milos wins his 1st (of many one assumes) ATP title.

He is the 1st Canadian since Greg Rusedski in '95 to hoist a tour level trophy.

Feeling old over here: Milos is also the 1st man to win a title born in the 90's.

His ranking rises to #59 - but that has a serious speeding bullet next to it...

Milos tweeted: Just landed in memphis, haven't slept,

Just been absorbing everything, thanks to all the kinds & motivational tweets.

In the photo Milos is with coach Galo Blanco. I thought that was a wine.

Tough loss for Fern, he only lost his serve once in this tournament, in the Sfs.

ATP oddity: They will face each other in the 1st R at Memphis on Wednesday.

Photo: Mark Lyons

Pete Sampras Played an Exo in San Jose Last Night

To kick off opening night at the ATP 250 event in San Jose Pete Sampras played Frenchman Gael Monfils, currently ranked #12. And played him pretty close: 76(4) 64. Not bad for the 39-year-old former '96 & '97 champ.

After the match Pete said, "I played a little better than I did last year and held my own, but physically that's the most I've served and volley in combination of the last seven years. Not easy."

Gael tweeted: It was a great experience tonight to play with Pete Sampras.

Other players were also very excited to meet Pete, including up-and-comer Milos Raonic (below) who tweeted: Just met my idol Sampras, its really something special getting to meet the person u grew up idolizing. Lifetime memory.